The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1887-09-03
HIS OWN MURDER.
A Curious Case Of Circumstantial
Evidence.

glimpse OF the various vicissitudes and
misfortunes with which he must strug-
gle, he would turn sharply round, and
seek the nearest course short Of suicide
torid himself of those trials which might
shake his manhood; and sogive up all
the sunshine of existence to avoid its
shadows. Fortunately. however, man
has not the privilege Of foreknowledge.
faculty which few would have the
courage to render serviceable, and
which most would convert into an
engine Of misery and affection.
Justice has indeed been painted
blind, and very expensive portrait
she makes in that way. If not really
blind, justice is certainly, in some
cases, short-sighted; and this same
blindness or near-sightedness has very
often placed the necks of many unfor-
Inmates within the grasp Of the merci-
less legal halter.
Juan Suarez, Mexican by birth and
wanderer by nature as well as by
necessity. had for many years been a
wanderer from his native country,
seeking to crafty love of variety
and to amass . fortune. Having &C
complished both to considerable de-
gree he thought he would explore Mexico
on foot.
Up from the river Tobasco, in the ex-
treme southeast of Mexico. there stood,
at the time Of our story, an ivy en-
twined cottage which was dignifed by
the term inn. Having travelled consid-
erably one day, hot and fatigued. Suarez
stopped at this inn to refresh himself.
and was soon seated among the motley
group Of the usual hangers-on at such
places Of resort. Finding that about
two miles further on the road he should
arrive at . small market town, where
accommodations for the night of much
more convenient nature could be pro-
cured, he resolved to go thither.
When he took out his purse to pay
his bill he casually exposed . quantity
of money, and the Doors of the village
who surrounded the table looked upon
the wealth with avaricious eyes. While
Suarez counted out certain sum he
noticed greedy-eyed, ill-looking fell
low fix his eyes upon him and his purse
in q way that did not please him.
Suarez soon took his departure and
proceeded leisurely on to his destina-
ton. The evening began to close. and
on arriving at dull part of the road.
overhung by high banks and covered
with furze and briars, he suddenly
found himself stunned by blow by
some one from behind, and he fell in
sensible to the ground.
When he became semi-consclous he
discovered he was bleeding and lying
in wet ditch. half-drowned, apparent
ly in his own blood. A man was lean
ing over him, and humanely endeavor-
ing to assist him. Finally he concluded
that Suarez was dead. and started off
to make known his discovery. 1t was
nearly dark when Suarez reused him
self and resumed his tramp. His clothes
were wet through, and after washing
himself he put on another suit, which
he carried in q knapsack. He recalled
the Unlocking fellow at the inn, who
cast such sinister glances at his money,
and Immediately suspected him as his
assailant The fellow, however, had
not secured Suarez's money, and the
latter thought it very funny that the
fellow had not robbed him, as the OBJ
ject Of the assault was undoubtedly
robbery.
After fatiguing walk Suarez ar.
rived at the inn in the adjoining town,
and had scarcely taken his seat before
he overheard conversation among
several men, stationed at the other end
OF the room; accompanied by express
sive looks toward him. As he was a
stranger in the place he was not par
ticularly surprised. The conversation
soon became louder, and. at length,
Suarex heard strangely exaggerated |
story Of his own murder.
1t was confidently asserted that a |
stranger had been robbed and MUIR |
dcred short distance from the town,
and that he had been found in . ditch |
with his skull fractured, his brains scat
tered about the road and his pockets |
turned inside out Suarez listened to |
this marvellous history with consider
able amusement and thought how
easily strange story is made to pass
though based on the fiimsiest |
II facts.
AFTER taxing some refreshments |
Suarez proposed to return. and took q |
quantity Of money to pay in advance
Tor his accommodation. As he did so, |
'ne OF the party Of men conversing to
yether, came up to him. and after inn
gazing into his face, turned
o his companions and mysteriouslv